Gail Archer

Gail Archer is an international concert organist, recording artist, choral conductor and lecturer who draws attention to composer anniversaries or musical themes with her annual recital series in New York City. These include a Bulgarian Celebration, a Slavic Celebration, Max Reger, The Muse’s Voice, An American Idyll, Liszt, Bach, Mendelssohn and Messiaen.  Archer was the first American woman to play the complete works of Olivier Messiaen for the centennial of the composer’s birth in 2008: Time Out New York recognized the Messiaen cycle as “Best of 2008” in classical music and opera.  In spring 2024, Archer received grants from the Harriman Institute, Columbia University and Vassar College to record a new CD of Bulgarian organ literature in the Concert Hall in Dobrich, Bulgaria; the CD will be released in spring 2025.  Her previous recordings include the 2022 Polish release, Cantius, and Chernivtsi, A Russian Journey, The Muse’s Voice, Franz Liszt: A Hungarian Rhapsody, Bach: The Transcendent Genius, an American Idyll, A Mystic in the Making (Meyer Media), and The Orpheus of Amsterdam: Sweelinck and his Pupils (CALA Records).  Ms. Archer’s 2024 European tour took her to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, France, Italy and the island of Menorca.  Highlights include the Frauenkirche, Dresden, Germany, the Cathedral of Saint Mary, Alghero, Sardegna, the Collegiale de Notre Dame, Mantes-la-Jolie, France, the Bragernes Kirke, Drammen, Norway and the Church of St Francis, Castelbuono, Sicily. The remarkable organ in the Sicilian church, built in 1547 by Francesco Oliveri, is one of the oldest extant organs in Europe.

She is the founder of Musforum, www.musforum.org an international network for women organists to promote and affirm their work. Ms. Archer is college organist at Vassar College, director of the music program at Barnard College, Columbia University, where she conducts the Barnard-Columbia Chorus and Chamber Singers and a faculty member of the Harriman Institute, Columbia University.  She is artistic director of the artist and young artist organ recital series at historic Central Synagogue, New York City.